SubjectsSubjects(version: 984)
Course, academic year 2020/2021
  
   
Toxicology and Ecotoxicology I - AB240001
Title: Toxicology and Ecotoxicology I
Guaranteed by: Department of Environmental Chemistry (240)
Faculty: Faculty of Environmental Technology
Actual: from 2020 to 2020
Semester: winter
Points: winter s.:3
E-Credits: winter s.:3
Examination process: winter s.:
Hours per week, examination: winter s.:2/0, Ex [HT]
Capacity: unlimited / unknown (unknown)
Min. number of students: unlimited
State of the course: taught
Language: English
Teaching methods: full-time
Level:  
Additional information: http://Předmět je vyučován pouze v zimním semestru. Zkoušky se konají u přednášejících.
Old code: ZTOE
Guarantor: Kočí Vladimír prof. Ing. Ph.D., MBA
Čapek Pavel doc. Ing. CSc.
McGachy Lenka doc. Ing. Ph.D.
Classification: Chemistry > Environmental Chemistry
Interchangeability : N111009, N240011, S111009, Z240011
Examination dates   Schedule   
This subject contains the following additional online materials
Annotation -
Toxicology and Ecotoxicology I is a course that provides basic information about substances that harm living organisms. The course generally covers the fundamentals of toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics, experimental evaluation of toxicity, and a summary of basic information on the toxicology of selected xenobiotics (including inorganic and organic xenobiotics, environmental contaminants, warfare and addictive substances, and natural toxins). It also includes a lecture dealing with the abiotic and biotic components of the ecosystem and the flow of substances and energy in nature. Another lecture is devoted to general principles of first aid for chemical exposure and health protection in chemical workplaces.
Last update: McGachy Lenka (22.06.2026)
Course completion requirements -

Written exam

• students enrol in SIS

• the test is set and marked by the course teacher, or a person authorised by the course teacher

• to complete the course students, have to pass written exam with minimum score of 50%

Last update: McGachy Lenka (22.06.2026)
Literature -

Obligatory:

  • Linhart, Igor. Základní pojmy v toxikologii, ekologii a ekotoxikologii =, Basic terms in toxicology, ecology and ecotoxicology. : , 2019, https://vufind.techlib.cz/Record/001871272 s. ISBN 978-80-7592-040-9.

Recommended:

  • Byung-Mu Lee, Sam Kacew, Hyung Sik Kim. Lu's Basic Toxicology

    Fundamentals, Target Organs, and Risk Assessment, Seventh Edition. : Routledge, 2017, s. ISBN 9781138032354.

Last update: prepocet_literatura.php (19.12.2024)
Syllabus -

1. Basic principles of toxicology – Definition of toxic substances and xenobiotics, their classification; introduction to toxicodynamics and toxicokinetics; mechanisms of action, dose-response relationship. Importance of exposure routes.

2. Toxicokinetics – ADME processes: absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion; absorption of substances through the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, and skin; factors influencing absorption and distribution of substances. Biological barriers: blood-brain barrier and placental barrier.

3. Biotransformation and excretion of xenobiotics – Phases of biotransformation: oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis, conjugation; enzymes such as cytochrome P450; conjugating agents; excretion. Importance of bioactivation and detoxification.

4. Mechanisms of toxic effects – Non-specific and specific effects, cellular mechanisms of toxicity, oxidative stress, apoptosis, genotoxicity. Mechanisms of interactions between xenobiotics and biomolecules.

5. Organ toxicity and specific toxic effects – Neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, pneumotoxicity, and cardiotoxicity: mechanisms and examples of substances. Experimental approaches to the study of organ toxicity. Immunotoxicity, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and teratogenicity: mechanisms of development and consequences for the organism. Methods for assessing genotoxicity, such as the Ames test and micronucleus test.

6. Determination of toxicity – Toxicity testing: LD50 and LC50, lethal doses and concentrations; ethical aspects; models; NOAEL, no observed adverse effect level; LOAEL, lowest observed adverse effect level; occupational exposure limits: PEL, permissible exposure limit, and NPK, maximum permissible concentration. OECD test methods, in vitro, in vivo, and in silico tests.

7. Regulation of chemical substances – GHS, Globally Harmonized System; SDS, safety data sheets; CLP Regulation; hazard pictograms. REACH regulation and its application.

8. Occupational safety in chemical workplaces – General rules of conduct, volatile organic compounds as a source of risk, injuries when working with glassware, corrosive substances, flammable substances, fire extinguishers and protective equipment, pressure and vacuum apparatuses, management of exothermic reactions, waste handling, and first aid.

9. Toxicity of inorganic substances – Toxicity of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals: sodium, potassium, beryllium, and barium. Toxicity of halogens and their compounds: fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine. Toxicity of sulfur, phosphorus, nitrogen, carbon, and radon. Toxicity of metals and metalloids: zinc, cadmium, silver, mercury, aluminium, arsenic, chromium, iron, cobalt, copper, nickel, and lead. Antidotes in cases of metal poisoning – definition of chelating agents.

10. Toxicity of organic substances – Toxicity of hydrocarbons: n-hexane, benzene, toluene, naphthalene, and benzo[a]pyrene. Toxicity of alcohols and phenols: methanol, propan-2-ol, ethylene glycol, and phenol. Toxicity of aldehydes, ketones, and halogenated derivatives: formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, vinyl chloride, and trichloroethene. Toxicity of nitro compounds, amines, organosulfur compounds, ethers, and carboxylic acids.

11. Misuse of chemical substances – Chemical warfare agents: nerve agents, blister agents, choking agents, and irritants – their effects and use. Addictive substances: depressants, such as opioids and alcohol; stimulants; hallucinogens; and cannabinoids – mechanisms of action and health risks.

12. Natural toxins – Bacterial toxins, including clostridial toxins; cyanobacterial toxins; fungal, plant, and animal toxins.

13. Flow of substances and energy in ecosystems – Cycles of water, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus; eutrophication, acidification, and smog – causes and consequences. Bioaccumulation and biomagnification of toxic substances in food chains. Ecotoxicological tests and basic assessment of ecotoxicity.

14. Contemporary environmental toxicology – Persistent organic pollutants, POPs; substances of very high concern, SVHC; endocrine disruptors; Stockholm Convention.

Last update: McGachy Lenka (22.06.2026)
Learning resources -

https://e-learning.vscht.cz/

Last update: Kubová Petra (06.03.2019)
Learning outcomes -

Students completing this course will acquire a fundamental understanding of substances that harm living organisms and will grasp the basic principles of toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics. They will gain insight into experimental toxicity assessment and receive an overview of the toxicology of selected xenobiotics, encompassing inorganic and organic xenobiotics, environmental contaminants, warfare and addictive substances, and natural toxins. Additionally, they will comprehend the abiotic and biotic components of the ecosystem and the flow of substances and energy in nature. Moreover, they will be familiar with the general principles of first aid for chemical exposure and health protection in chemical workplaces.

Last update: McGachy Lenka (22.06.2026)
Registration requirements -

None

Last update: Kubová Petra (06.03.2019)
 
VŠCHT Praha